Movable screen

ABSTRACT

A movable screen apparatus suitable for use in a themed entertainment environment. The movable screen apparatus includes a screen and a base configured for movement over surface. The movable screen apparatus includes a guidance arrangement and a drive arrangement, wherein said guidance and drive arrangements are operable, in use, to move the screen apparatus along a pre-defined looped path. The looped path is defined by a physical track which is contactable by the guidance arrangement.

The present invention relates to a movable screen, and particularly to amovable screen forming part of an amusement apparatus. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a movable screen which issynchronised with the movement of a passenger conveying apparatus in athemed entertainment environment.

Theme parks, amusement parks, film studio parks and the like typicallyinclude themed rides. In such rides, passengers embark upon a conveyingapparatus at an embarkation location, are conveyed through a themedenvironment, and disembark at a disembarkation location. The themedenvironment may, for example, be themed in relation to a motion picture,a television show or series, or a historical period.

While travelling through the themed environment, the movement of theconveying apparatus is preferably synchronised with features of thethemed environment. Features of the themed environment with which themovement of the passenger conveying apparatus may be synchronisedinclude, but are not limited to, audio effects, visual effects, lightingeffects, pyrotechnic effects, animatronics apparatuses, projectionsscreens, stationary and/or moving prop items, water effects, smoke orvapour effects, wind effects, odour effects and actors.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,137,205 discloses a carousel for use in the themedenvironment of an amusement ride. The carousel includes a number ofconcave screens. The carousel and screens are rotatable about a fixedaxis in order to synchronise with the movement of one or more passengerconveying apparatuses.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided amovable screen apparatus, the movable screen apparatus including ascreen and a base configured for movement over surface, wherein themovable screen apparatus includes a guidance arrangement and a drivearrangement, wherein further said guidance and drive arrangements areoperable, in use, to move the screen apparatus along a pre-definedlooped path, wherein the looped path is defined by a physical trackwhich is contactable by the guidance arrangement.

The term looped path refers to a continuous path such that the movablescreen is able to move around circuits of the path. The looped path maybe of any shape.

The physical track may, for example, be defined by one or more raisedrails. Alternatively, the physical track may be defined by one or morerecessed channels. In such an embodiment, the guidance arrangementincludes a guide member configured for engagement with the physicaltrack. The guide member may comprise a wheel or roller.

Where the looped path is a physical track, the drive arrangement matinclude a drive member configured for engagement with the physicaltrack. The drive member may comprise a drive wheel or roller. In such anembodiment the drive and guidance arrangements may be combined.

Preferably, the base is provided with ground engaging formations whichsupport the base for movement over a surface. For example, the base maybe provided with a plurality of wheels.

In an alternative embodiment, the base of the movable screen apparatusmay take the form of an automated guided vehicle or AGV. In such anembodiment, the pre-determined looped path may not be defined by aphysical feature, such as a channel or rail, with which the baseinteracts. The path may, for example, be defined by instructionscontained within the guidance system. Alternatively, the path may bedefined by external reference makers located within the themedentertainment environment which are recognised by the guidance system.It will be appreciated that alternative means for defining a looped pathfor the AGV to follow may be provided.

The screen may be a projection screen which is configured to displayimages projected from a projector. The screen may be flat or curved.Alternatively, the screen may be configured so as to be able to generateimages. For example the screen may be an LCD, LED, OLED, LEP orequivalent display medium display.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is providedthe combination of a movable screen apparatus of the type described anda looped path defined by a physical track.

Multiple movable screen apparatuses may be provided on the looped path.

The combination may further include a passenger conveying apparatus, thepassenger conveying apparatus being movable past the looped path, andmovement of the passenger conveying apparatus is synchronised withmovement of the movable screen apparatus and the display of images onthe screen as the passenger conveying apparatus passes the looped path.

The passenger conveying apparatus may include a multi axial manipulator.The passenger conveying apparatus may be an AGV.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided athemed environment including a movable screen apparatus as describedabove, a looped path and a passenger conveying apparatus, wherein themovable screen apparatus is movable around the looped path within thethemed environment, the passenger conveying apparatus is movable throughthe themed environment past the looped path, and movement of thepassenger conveying apparatus and the display of images on the screen issynchronised with movement of the movable screen apparatus as thepassenger conveying apparatus passes the looped path.

The passenger conveying apparatus may include a multi axial manipulator.The passenger conveying apparatus may be an AGV.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a movable screen according to the presentinvention and a passenger conveying apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the movable screen and passengerconveying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a plurality of movable screens, aplurality of passenger conveying apparatuses and guidance tracks in afirst configuration; and

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of a plurality of movable screens, aplurality of passenger conveying apparatuses and guidance tracks in analternative configuration.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a movable screenapparatus generally designated 10 and a passenger conveying apparatusgenerally designated 12. The movable screen 10 includes a concave screen14 and a support frame 16. The support frame 16 includes a plurality ofwheels 18 which enable the movable screen apparatus 10 to be moved overa support surface 20. The concave screen 14 includes a concaveprojection surface 22 upon which still and/or moving images can beprojected from a projector (P). The projector (P) may, for example, bemounted on the support frame 16 or the passenger conveying apparatus 12.In an alternative embodiment the screen 14 may be configured to displayimages without the need for a projector. For example, the screen 14 maybe an LCD, LED, OLED, LEP or equivalent display medium display. It willfurther be appreciated that the screen 14 may have a shape other thanthe concave shape shown in the accompanying figures. For example, thescreen 14 may be curved in an alternative manner or be substantiallyflat.

The support frame 16 is further provided with a pair of combined guideand drive rollers 24. The rollers 24 are provided on the underside 26 ofthe frame 16 and cooperate with a guide rail 28 located upon the supportsurface 20 over which the movable screen apparatus 10 moves, in use.Both rollers 24 may be driven. In such an embodiment, each roller 24 isconnected to a drive means such as, for example, an electric motor. Inan alternative embodiment only one of the rollers 24 may be driven. Insuch an embodiment the other of the rollers 24 functions as an idlerroller. The or each roller 24 has a surface that frictionally engagesthe guide rail 28. It will thus be understood that rotation of the oreach driven roller 24 results in movement of the movable screen 10 overthe support surface 20. The path along which the movable screen 10travels is defined by the guide rail 28.

The passenger conveying apparatus 12 includes a chassis 30 and a multiaxial manipulator 32. The chassis 30 includes a plurality of wheels 34which enable the passenger conveying apparatus to be moved over thesupport surface 20. The passenger conveying apparatus is furtherprovided with a pair of combined guide and drive rollers 36. The rollers36 are provided on the underside 38 of the chassis 30 and cooperate witha guide rail 40 located upon the support surface 20 over which thepassenger conveying apparatus moves, in use.

Both rollers 36 may be driven. In such an embodiment, each roller 36 isconnected to a drive means such as, for example, an electric motor. Inan alternative embodiment, only one of the rollers 36 may be driven. Insuch an embodiment the other of the rollers 36 functions as an idlerroller. The or each roller 36 has a surface that frictionally engagesthe guide rail 40. It will thus be understood that rotation of the oreach driven roller 36 results in movement of the passenger conveyingapparatus 12 over the support surface 20. The path along which thepassenger conveying apparatus 12 travels is defined by the guide rail40.

The multi axial manipulator 32 includes an arm 42, a base 44 and apassenger carriage 46. The base 44 is rotatably mounted to the chassis30 such that manipulator 32 is rotatable relative to the chassis 30about a first axis A-A. The arm 42 is pivotably mounted to the base 44at a first end 42 a such that it is pivotable relative to the base abouta second axis B-B. Axis B-B is substantially perpendicular to axis A-A.

The opposite end 42 b of the arm 42 is both pivotably and rotatablyconnected to the passenger carriage 46. The passenger carriage 46 ispivotably connected to the arm 42 about a third axis C-C. The third axisC-C lies substantially parallel to the second axis B-B. The passengercarriage 46 is further rotatable about a fourth axis D-D. The fourthaxis D-D is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the arm 42 and furtherlies substantially perpendicular to the second and third axes B-B, C-C.The manipulator 32 is provided with actuators to effect rotation andpivoting movement, as appropriate, about the axes A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D.

In the embodiment shown, the passenger carriage 46 includes fourpassenger seats 48. Each passenger seat 48 includes a passengerrestraint 50.

In use, the movable screen apparatus 10 and passenger conveyingapparatus 12 form part of an amusement ride. The passenger conveyingapparatus 12 conveys passengers from a passenger embarkation point,through a themed environment, to a passenger disembarkation point. Theembarkation point, themed environment and disembarkation point may befully indoors, fully outdoors, or partially indoors and partiallyoutdoors. As noted above, the movement path of the passenger conveyingapparatus 12 is defined by the guide rail 40. In a preferred embodimentthe passenger conveying apparatus guide rail 40 is in the form of aclosed loop, and thus the passenger conveying apparatus 12 is able tocirculate around the loop. In such an embodiment the passenger conveyingapparatus 12 can thus conveys passengers from the passenger embarkationpoint, through the themed environment, to the passenger disembarkationpoint on a first portion of the loop. The passenger conveying apparatus12 can thereafter move from the disembarkation point back to thepassenger embarkation point on the remainder of the loop. Multiplepassenger conveying apparatuses 12 may be provided in spaced apartrelation to one another on the loop.

As the passenger conveying apparatus 12 moves through the themedenvironment its movement is synchronised with features of theenvironment. Features of the themed environment with which the passengerconveying apparatus 12 may be synchronised include, but are not limitedto, audio effects, visual effects, lighting effects, pyrotechniceffects, animatronics apparatuses, projections screens, stationaryand/or moving prop items, water effects, smoke or vapour effects, windeffects, odour effects and actors.

The movable screen apparatus 10 is located within the themedenvironment, and movement of the movable screen apparatus 10 issynchronised with movement of the passenger conveying apparatus 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show top plan views of a portion of a themed environment,generally designated 52. In FIG. 3 there is shown a length of thepassenger conveying apparatus guide rail 40 forming part of passengerconveying apparatus guide rail loop 56. There is also shown a length ofthe movable screen guide rail 28 which is formed into a closed loop 54.The screen guide rail loop 54 is in the form of a squircle. Thepassenger conveying apparatus guide rail loop 56 extends aroundsubstantially three sides of the screen guide rail loop 54. The screenguide rail loop 54 is thus located to the interior of the passengerconveying apparatus guide rail loop 56. The screen apparatuses 10 andpassenger conveying apparatuses 12 are provided with appropriate controlsystems to ensure that sufficient separation of individual units ismaintained on the respective loops 54,56, and that the motion of thescreen apparatuses 10 and passenger conveying apparatuses 12 aresynchronised at appropriate times.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the screen guide rail loop 54 isprovided with four movable screen apparatuses 10. The part of thepassenger conveying apparatus guide rail loop 54 shown is provided withfour passenger conveying apparatuses 12. The movable screen apparatuses10 circulate in a counter clockwise direction as indicated by arrows 58.The passenger conveying apparatuses 12 also move in a counter clockwisedirection as indicated by arrows 60.

The movement of both the screen apparatuses 10 and passenger conveyingapparatuses 12 are synchronised such that the passenger carriage 46 ofeach conveying apparatus faces the projection surface 22 of a concavescreen 14. Passengers conveyed by a passenger conveying apparatus 12 canthus experience images projected onto the projection surface 22.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative configuration for the themed environment 52.Features common to the embodiment of FIG. 3 are identified with likereference numerals. The configuration of FIG. 4 differs in that thescreen guide rail loop 54 is provided to the exterior of the passengerconveying apparatus guide rail loop 56. The screen guide rail loop 54 issubstantially kidney shaped. The screen apparatuses 10 circulate in acounter clockwise direction as indicated by arrows 58. The passengerconveying apparatuses 12 circulate in a clockwise direction as indicatedby arrows 60.

By providing individually movable screen apparatuses 10 on a loopedtrack, it will appreciated that the screens 10 are better able tosynchronise with the movement of the passenger conveying apparatuses 12.For example, the movement speed of a screen apparatus 10 may increase ordecrease so as to match similar changes in speed of a conveyingapparatus 12. It will further be appreciated that a screen apparatus 10may be moved a first range of speeds when synchronised with the movementof a conveying apparatus 12 and moved at a second range of speeds whennot synchronised with the movement of a conveying apparatus 12. As such,a screen may be accelerated around the guide track to a start positionafter a synchronisation period with a conveying apparatus 12 has ended.

The track 28 upon which the screens 10 are movable can be shaped to meetthe individual requirements of a given installation. Movable screens 10can thus be provided at a location where there is insufficient space ofa carousel of screens. Individual screens 10 can be removed from theloop 54, for example for the purposes of maintenance and/or repair.

In the embodiments shown, the movable screens 10 include a concaveprojection screen 14. It will be appreciated that other types of screenmay be utilised without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, flat or planar, or concave projection screensmay be used. The screen may also, for example, not be of the projectiontype. Instead, the screen may be capable of displaying moving images ina self-contained manner. In such an embodiment, the screen may be an LCDscreen.

In the embodiments shown, the movable screens 10 and passenger conveyingapparatuses 12 each follow a path defined by a single raised track28,40. It will be appreciated that other track configurations arepossible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, multiple tracks may be utilised. The or each track may bedefined be recessed channels. In yet a further embodiment, the movablescreen apparatuses 10 and/or passenger conveying apparatuses 12 mayinclude automated guided vehicles know by the acronym AGV. The movementof such vehicles is not governed by a physical track, but by a trackdefined by other means. Such means may, for example, compriseinstructions provided to an onboard guidance system of the AGV.

In the embodiment shown, the passenger conveying apparatus 12 includes amulti axial manipulator 32. It will be understood that otherconfigurations of passenger conveying apparatus 12 may be used.

What is claimed is:
 1. A themed or dark-ride environment comprising amovable screen apparatus comprising a screen and a base configured formovement over a surface, wherein the movable screen apparatus includes aguidance arrangement and a drive arrangement, characterized in that saidguidance and drive arrangements are operable, in use, to circulate thescreen apparatus around a pre-defined looped path, wherein the loopedpath is defined by a physical track which is contactable by the guidancearrangement; and a passenger conveying apparatus, wherein the movablescreen apparatus is movable around the looped path within the themedenvironment, the passenger conveying apparatus is movable through andthemed environment past the looped path, and movement of the passengerconveying apparatus and the display of images on the screen issynchronized with movement of the movable screen apparatus as thepassenger conveying apparatus passes the looped path.
 2. The themed ordark-ride environment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physical trackis defined by one or more raised rails.
 3. The themed or dark-rideenvironment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physical track is definedby one or more recessed channels.
 4. The themed or dark-ride environmentas claimed in claim 1 wherein the guidance arrangement includes a guidemember configured for contact with the physical track.
 5. The themed ordark-ride environment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the guide memberincludes a wheel or roller.
 6. The themed or dark-ride environment asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the drive arrangement includes a drive memberconfigured for contact with the physical track.
 7. The themed ordark-ride environment as claimed in claim 6 wherein the drive memberincludes a wheel or roller.
 8. The themed or dark-ride environment asclaimed in claim 7 wherein the guide member comprises a wheel or rollerand the drive member wheel or roller is combined with the guide memberwheel or roller.
 9. The themed or dark-ride environment as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the base is provided with ground engaging formationswhich support the base for movement over a surface.
 10. The themed ordark-ride environment as claimed in claim 9 wherein the base may beprovided with a plurality of wheels.
 11. The themed or dark-ride asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the screen is a projection screen which isconfigured to display images projected from a projector.
 12. The themedor dark-ride environment as claimed in claim 11 wherein the projector isprovided upon the movable screen apparatus.
 13. The themed or dark-rideenvironment as claimed in 1 wherein the screen is configured so as to beable to generate images for display.
 14. The themed or dark-rideenvironment as claimed in claim 13 wherein the screen is an LCD, LED,OLED, LEP or equivalent display medium display.
 15. The themed ordark-ride environment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screen is flat.16. The themed or dark-ride environment as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe screen curved.
 17. The themed or dark-ride environment as claimed inclaim 16 wherein the screen is concave.
 18. The themed or dark-rideenvironment as claimed in claim 1 wherein multiple movable screenapparatuses are provided on the physical track.
 19. The themed ordark-ride environment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passengerconveying apparatus includes a multi axial manipulator.
 20. The themedor dark-ride environment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passengerconveying apparatus includes a multi axial manipulator.
 21. The themedor dark-ride environment as claimed in claim 1 wherein passengerconveying apparatus is an AGV.